The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the parties in the
lawsuit Save the Manatee Club, et al. v. Ballard, et al have agreed, to
extend the time line by which the Federal agency must complete a proposed
rule for new manatee refuges and sanctuaries throughout peninsular Florida.
The new publication date is July 2, 2001.

"The Service made its position clear at the Commission's recent meetings,"
said Sam Hamilton, regional director for the Service's Southeast Region,
"we have always said we supported the State taking any necessary manatee
protection actions. This extension reflects that position and continues to
allow us to work toward a balance that can better serve Florida's public
interests, as well as those of the manatee."

The Service believes the State of Florida should be the primary regulatory
authority in State waters to conserve manatees, have the responsibility to
identify protective areas for manatees, and establish manatee speed zones
in Florida. The Service and State are committed to working together to
ensure comprehensive planning and coordination for the overall protection
of the manatee.

Governor Jeb Bush said, after hearing of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service's action today, "I am glad the Service has recognized the State's
leadership in protecting the Florida manatee. We have been working with the
federal government to devise a process that will prevent any confusion and
burdensome regulation on Florida's waterways. Under the State's settlement
agreement, we will have input from boaters, environmental groups, industry,
law enforcement, and other affected parties in determining appropriate safe
havens and the management of them for the protection manatees. I commend
the Service and the plaintiffs on the federal case for accepting our
invitation to sit at the table and work with our citizens to develop
comprehensive measures that will preserve the privileges of boaters and
provide safe areas for the manatee. This action today reflects the Bush
Administration's and Secretary Gale Norton's new federalist approach to
governing that supports state leadership and I thank the Secretary for her
support."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. The Service manages the 94-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge
System which encompasses more than 535 national wildlife refuges, thousands
of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70
national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological
services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws,
administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations,
restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife
habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their
conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and
hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.